I know how to ward off Scientologists. Have a Republican disposition.
When I was in college, my girl friend and I were approached by Scientologists. We didn't know at the time because it was mostly unknown then.
We were having a snack in an almost empty dinner, which had all tables. We were sitting across from each other. This clean cut, good looking, young college students looking, couple came in and decided to ignore all the empty tables and sit at ours.
They had books with them. They placed the books between them and us on the table. The top book, a very large one which had the title "Scientology" was placed so that title faced us.
They struck up a conversation. My girl friend who was a friendly extravert responded and then asked if that- Scientology- was a college course? They started into their sales pitch. My friendly girl friend was listening intensely. I was getting pissed at their intrusion.
At one instance they asked us what we "wanted out of life". Being the mercenary capitalist that I am, and wanting them to leave, I replied "money and power". My girl friend shot me a dirty look. The PC response is peace and love and happiness.
My answer resulted in them completely shutting me out of the continuing sales pitch. They continued on my girl friend until I asked them to get lost. And told my girl friend we were leaving. Another dirty look towards me.
Cultists prey on friendly open people. Republicans/Conservatives/Meanies like us are safe.
Maybe it's too bad. They might have made me a movie star.
What was extra?
No doubt the Scientolgists were interested in the extra parts.
My friend asked me what Scientology was, and in a loud voice I said:
"A Cult."
The guy got pissed at me and was trying to answer my friend and was ignoring me (just like you said with your experience).
I said: "Even Time magazine has documented what a scam you are running."
That comment blew his gasket, and he said the "Church" was suing Time magazine for slander.